Letting go was the right thing. But it still felt wrong.
Disclaimer: I can only write from my own experiences. And right now, I’m feeling sadness that bears discussion. But in no way do I mean to compare grief scenarios, or minimize the loss you or someone you know might have experienced. So please read this with an open mind and an open heart, and perhaps the Holy Spirit will bring comfort to you, too.
Have you ever had one of those moments where it feels like something is shifting? Like maybe there’s a change in the wind and even though you want it, you’re still a bit leery. Change means there will be something new. And new means unknown.
Sometimes, we prefer the comfort afforded to us in the familiar – even the wrong familiar – than we do the newness of an answered prayer. It may be the right new thing, but something still feels wrong. It’s right, but it’s not ok. In the case of my family, it was right for our pup to go. She had lived a much longer life than expected, and she was in pain. It was right. But it feels wrong, like something is missing.
Have you ever had one of those moments where it feels like something is shifting?
But it’s not just Ivie the pug on my mind. I’m sensing a shift coming at work too. And I know that it will be the right thing, as it’s been bathed in prayer and it’s quite evident that the Holy Spirit is maneuvering things to His liking. And yet, I find myself a bit sad at the thought of one season ending so that a new one may begin.
All we know on earth are beginnings and endings. And yet, a time is coming when the disciples of Jesus Christ will get a new beginning which will have no end. The concept of eternity is nearly impossible for us to comprehend. Sure, we can define it. But how can we comprehend that which has no existence on earth?
Sometimes, we prefer the comfort afforded to us in the familiar – even the wrong familiar – than we do the newness of an answered prayer.
The best part about all of this is that God has already taken great care to comfort us in the unknown, in the moments when right still feels somewhat wrong. He knew about all of this well before we did. We sense the shift, but He sees the shift. He orchestrated it. And He planned a way to love us through our human reactions.
He is close to the brokenhearted, and He saves those who are crushed in spirit.
In His hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.
It is the Lord who goes before us. He will be with us; he will not leave us or forsake us. Do not fear or be dismayed.
He has made all things beautiful in His time. And He works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.
All we know on earth are beginnings and endings. And yet, a time is coming when the disciples of Jesus Christ will get a new beginning which will have no end.
Those aren’t just flowery words. Those are our Father’s words, penned in scripture, from Ecclesiastes to Romans. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, ours is the God who rules over our outcomes and prevails in our difficulty.
All we have to do is abide in Him. Thanking Him daily – truly, from a grateful heart – for the joy of His Spirit and the lives He has so lovingly crafted for us. All of the days ordained for us were written in his book before one of them came to be… even the ones that hurt a bit more.
So in our sadness or grief over losses, let us not forget to thank Him. We still have our hope! We do not grieve as the world grieves. Rather, we hope in the One who makes all things new.
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
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